Career Timeline of Ashley Buchanan: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 1, 2025

How Ashley Buchanan built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Ashley Buchanan is an American business executive. He previously served as the CEO of Kohl's and The Michaels Companies. Buchanan also held roles as chief merchandising officer and chief operating officer of Walmart's e-commerce business. He has also been a member of The Michaels Companies board of directors, reflecting his extensive experience in retail and e-commerce leadership.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1996: Graduated from Baylor University

In 1996, Ashley Buchanan graduated from the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and real estate.

1996: Started career at Bank of America

In 1996, Ashley Buchanan started his career in banking at Bank of America. After receiving his MBA, he worked as a retail consultant at Accenture.

1998: Received MBA from Baylor University

In 1998, Ashley Buchanan received a Master of Business Administration degree from Hankamer School of Business.

2004: Joined Accenture and Dell Computers

In 2004, Ashley Buchanan worked as a retail consultant at Accenture from 1996 to 2004. He then worked at Dell Computers from 2004 to 2007 as a finance manager.

2007: Joined Walmart

In 2007, Ashley Buchanan joined Walmart, where he would spend the next ten years leading several business units within Walmart US.

2007: Left Dell Computers

In 2007, Ashley Buchanan left Dell Computers, where he had been working as a finance manager since 2004.

February 2017: Named chief merchant of Sam's Club

In February 2017, Ashley Buchanan was named chief merchant of Walmart's Sam's Club business unit.

2019: Named executive vice president and chief merchandising officer of Walmart.com

In 2019, Ashley Buchanan was named executive vice president and chief merchandising officer of Walmart.com. He was part of the effort to invest in Walmart's digital shopping experience, aiming to compete with Amazon.

2020: Joined The Michaels Companies as CEO

In 2020, Ashley Buchanan joined The Michaels Companies as the chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors.

2020: Left Walmart

In 2020, Ashley Buchanan left Walmart after working there since 2007.

March 2021: The Michaels Companies acquired by Apollo Global Management

In March 2021, it was announced that The Michaels Companies, where Ashley Buchanan was CEO, was being acquired by private equity firm Apollo Global Management and would be going private.

January 2025: Joined Kohl's as CEO

In January 2025, Ashley Buchanan joined Kohl's as Chief Executive Officer.

May 1, 2025: Termination from Kohls

On May 1, 2025, Kohl's terminated Ashley Buchanan for cause after an investigation determined he violated company policies regarding conflicts of interest with a vendor.